Short-Term Travel
Meal and Incidental Rates and Requirements

Introduction

Employees on short-term travel status shall be reimbursed for actual meal and incidental expenses up to the maximum rates provided in this section unless directed to travel under the provisions of CCR Administrative Code (Title 2) 599.624 or 599.624.1 - Contracting for Subsistence.

Short-term travel status is defined as travel a minimum of 50 miles away from the employee's designated headquarters and primary residence, and lasting no more than
30 calendar days in a "single location". A single location is defined as a major metropolitan area, cities in vicinity to one another, and
any locations that straddle county or state lines within a 50-mile radius.

The short-term rate will be discontinued after the 30th consecutive day assigned to a single location unless an extension has been previously documented and approved by the appointing power. For additional information, see Chapter 6 Travel Exceptions, Short-Term Subsistence Beyond 30 Days.

Reimbursement for short-term meals will be authorized only when the traveler incurs expenses arising from the use of reasonable, moderately priced meal establishments
such as restaurants, cafes and diners, etc. that cater to the general public.

Meals provided by the state when included in hotel expenses or conference fees, in transportation costs such as airline tickets, or otherwise provided
shall not be claimed for reimbursement. Snacks and continental breakfasts such as rolls, juice and coffee are not considered to be meals.

No meal expense may be claimed or reimbursed more than once on any given date or during any 24-hour period. The circumstances of travel will determine the rate
allowed.

Staying with Friends and Relatives

Employees who stay with friends or relatives may
claim their actual meal and incidental expenses in
accordance with the rates and timeframe outlined
in this section.

Vacation, CTO, or Sick Leave

Meal and incidental expenses will not be allowed when an employee is authorized vacation or compensating time off (CTO) while on travel
status.

If an employee is granted sick leave while traveling on state business, he or she may be authorized to claim reimbursement for travel expenses, up to a maximum of three
days. For information on exceeding the three days, see Chapter 6 Travel Exceptions, Subsistence While on Sick Leave.

Short-Term Meal and Incidental Reimbursement Rates

Reimbursement will be made for actual expenses up to the maximum amounts allowed. The employee must maintain receipts for meal and incidental expenses to substantiate the amounts claimed were not in excess of the actual expenses. Receipts for meals are not required to accompany the travel expense claim; however, the Department has authority to request this information if further substantiation is warranted.

Represented (Rank and File) employees in Bargaining Unit contracts that have not yet reached an agreement with CalHR on a new contract will continue to use the rates found in their current contract until further notice:

Breakfast

Actual expense up to $6.00.

Lunch

Actual expense up to $10.00.

Dinner

Actual expense up to $18.00.

Incidentals

Actual expense up to $6.00.

Departure and Return Time Requirements

In computing reimbursement for continuous short-term travel of 24 hours or more and less than 31 consecutive days, the employee will be reimbursed
for actual meal and incidental costs up to the maximums allowed for each meal and incidental expense for each complete 24 hours of travel,
beginning with the traveler's times of departure and return as indicated below:

On the first day of travel on a trip of 24 hours or more:

Trip begins at or before 6:00 a.m.

Breakfast may be claimed on the first day.

Trip begins at or before 11:00 a.m.

Lunch may be claimed on the first day.

Trip begins at or before 5:00 p.m.

Dinner may be claimed on the first day.

On the fractional day of travel at the end of a trip of more than 24 hours:

Trip ends at or after 8:00 a.m.

Breakfast may be claimed.

Trip ends at or after 2:00 p.m.

Lunch may be claimed.

Trip ends at or after 7:00 p.m.

Dinner may be claimed.

Travel Less Than 24 Hours

Employees may not claim lunch or incidentals for one-day trips. When trips are less than 24 hours with no overnight stay, meals are reportable and taxable income.
For more information, see Tax Reporting and Withholding Requirements.

For continuous travel of less than 24 hours, employees may claim actual expenses for breakfast and/or dinner in accordance with the following time frames: